Travel Bug: March 2011

Day 2 27/2/11 - Portugal, England

Lisbon -> London

Highlight

Decided to head to Belam, and so did all the other tourists, so a mad scramble for the tram
There was also a line to go to the Jerónimos Monastery
Was definitely worth the wait, and didn’t hurt that it was free on Sunday morning.
Wondered around the beautiful cloisters, taking pictures all around.
Managed to bump into PJ and co there as well.
Off to the famous birthplace of the pastéis de nata, Antiga Confeitaria de Belém. Service was like all the other teahouses, we were ignored for a long time, but at least the tarts were worth waiting for.
Walked around enjoying the squares at Balem.
Visited the Coaching Museum because it was free on Sunday – relatively interesting, but once you’ve seen about 3 coaches, you really didn’t need to see them all.
Watched all the people enjoying Al Fresco lunch along the Rua Vieira Portuense.
Walked down to see the Monument to the Discoveries, then enjoyed a lovely stroll on another beautiful day along the seaside, with the Ponte 25 de Abril in the background, to the Tour de Balem. We didn’t bother going in because of Allie, instead decided to head back so we are not rushed.
Well, so much for that. The ride back to town was not as crowded, but still bad. We managed to have one more custard tart and one more port before heading back to our hotel
Waited at the bus stop for an airport bus for over 40 minutes. It turned out 2 buses didn’t come so we had to squish onto a bus when it finally came. We were the last people able to get on, everyone else on the stops after us we didn’t stop for.
This didn’t give us that much time at the lounge. We had to eat really fast and didn’t really get to relax.
The flight back was very full, but at least it was on time, and Allie got some crayons to play with.

Food

Eleven almond cake
ham and cheese roll
orange juice
Pastesis de Balem:
- custard tart (€0.90)
- duck pie
- meat pastry
Ginja berry port (€1.20)
Air France Lounge:
- ham and cheese sandwich
- fish pie
- seafood croquette
- lemon tart
- almond cake
BA flight:
- turkey and cranberry roll
- apple juice

Day 1 26/2/11 - England, Portugal

London -> Lisbon

Highlight

Enjoyed the last non business time at the BA Lounge
Flight was fine, we got Allie a seat, and arrived on time.
Hotel was very nice.
Streets are trouble for a pram, all cobblestone, and with lots of potholes
Wondered to a flea market, before walking down to the main square with the statue.
Bypass all the touts around the Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, to have lunch at Bonjardim, supposedly the place to go for peri-peri. The chicken was overly salty, but improved immensely with the very good and hot peri-peri sauce. Seafood was nice, but best thing was the chips.
Weather was a beautiful 20 degrees, it was nice wondering around in the sun without a jacket.
Wondered to Rossio Square, very nice, with a fountain, and a very prominent McDonalds.
Found A Ginjinha, a quaint little hole in the wall, where they were doing a roaring trade in Ginja berry Port. This was the first place in Lisbon to sell this, and it was v tasty indeed.
Had our first (and best of the day) custard tart, before heading up a hill (for no reason, only to walk down again)
After all the walking up and down, finally arrived at Se cathedral, which was nothing special actually.
Caught the historic tram 28, which took us to the Feira da Ladra flea market, which was…. a flea market. It was nice wondering around in the sun, with music in the background though
Another tram ride, through some very narrow passages, took us to the Mirador de Santa Lucia, where there was beautiful views to the sea.
Another hill climb took us to Castelo de São Jorge, where we were able to skip the line for ticket thanks to Allie. Wondered around the castle ground. There wasn’t that much to see, we wondered around the rampart, admired the views, and had a quick look at the museum.
Wondered back down, had another custard tart, this time from a normal bakery, which was not nearly as good.
Had a look at the Santa Justa's Elevator, then did some window shopping along Rua Augusta, had another custard tart, got some clothes for Allie from Zara.
Wondered to the Parca do Commercio area to admire the statue, before waiting over ½ hour for a bus, after which point we gave up and walked the 4km or so to Restaurante Eleven.
Allie decided she would scream and climb around and not sit in her chair or eat, but the staff were fine, saying people in Portugal expect children to behave that way. Which was great, because the food at Eleven was really good, especially all the seafood. Not sure why they lost their hat. If only we didn’t have to constantly constrain Allie and hurry our meal to go home and let her sleep.

Food

BA Lounge:
- croissant
- pain au chocolate
- bacon buttie
- mushroom and tomato buttie
- yoghurt with fresh fruit
Bonjardim Restaurante:
- roast chicken and chips
- grilled seabream
Ginja berry port (€1.20)
Custard tart 1 (€1.05)
Custard tart 2 (€0.20)
Custard tart 3 (€1)
Restaurante Eleven:
- textures of fish – white fish with truffle, pink fish, fish croquette
- octopus tartare
- tomato bread, olive bread, white bread
- Smoked Red mullet
- Portuguese Seafood soup
- 3 variety of fish (John Dory, mullet, groper) with artichoke
- braised oxtail
- Portuguese and French cheese with fruit bread and pumpkin puree
- madeleine
- ??
- tulle biscuit, chocolate, cake